Walking 3-6 hours a day. Immersion in nature. Each day is comprised of contemplative walking and sketchbook drawing. You will walk the paths used by pilgrims on their way to Rome from Central Europe. These ancient paths were forged by saints including Saint Francis of Assisi.

WHAT IS THE SACRED FOREST?

A valley of ancient stone villages, small churches and picturesque sanctuaries. This valley is far from the typical tourist routes in Tuscany. Traditionally, pilgrims walked the sacred forest for religious devotion or spiritual renewal.

DO I NEED TO SUBSCRIBE TO A PARTICULAR RELIGION TO WALK WHERE SAINTS WALKED?

No, you do not have to be religious or have a regular meditation practice to participate in this walk. This is an opportunity to experience nature while walking mindfully in a secluded place where writers, artists, saints, and pilgrims discovered sacredness from attuning to nature and beauty.

SOUNDS AMAZING, BUT WHERE WILL I SLEEP?

In traditional pilgrim B&B’s and “rifugi” mountain huts along the way. Accommodations range from rustic to romantic monasteries of the sacred forest including the most famous sanctuary, La Verna.

TECHNICAL NOTES

This walk is not particularly difficult but participants are encouraged to be prepared physically and in good health. In case of bad weather, or for any other reason necessary to ensure the safety of the group, the guide can make changes to the excursion. Unfortunately the path is not wheelchair accessible.

Camera, drawing/ writing materials, collapsible water bottles, and walking sticks as the terrain can be rocky.

HOW DO I KNOW WHAT TO BRING AND WHERE WE WILL WALK EACH DAY?

A supply list, daily schedule, and recommended books are sent once pre-deposit is paid.

DO I HAVE TO PAY THE ENTIRE AMOUNT UPFRONT?

No, after you pay your $350 pre-deposit through PayPal you can pay the balance in full or with installments by check, cash or PayPal. We offer a few different payment plan options.

The Museum of Walking is offering a small scholarship for students, teachers, and recently graduated students. Please email Angela atinfo@museumofwalking.org for details

PRICE INCLUDES:

Stay at the B&B or mountain shelter

Transportation to/from Florence to pilgrim trail

ALL meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) of the Tuscan-Romagna region

House wine included with dinners

2 guides (Angela Ellsworth and Melissa Morris)

Daily transfer of luggage between B&B's.

Guides with knowledge of region as well as contemplative/ mindful practices, art, drawing / writingskills.

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:

Travel Insurance (must have)

Airfare / travel to/from Florence, Italy

Extra wine

Tips

NOTE: If you apply (and are admitted) to both Sacred Forest Pilgrimage and Topography of Memory you will receive a discount of $500.

FAQ’S

WHAT IS THE LANDSCAPE LIKE?

Kilometers of ancient trees with the scent of moss and bark, natural caves, and large boulders covered with moss that create grottoes once used by monks as ice chests.

DO I CARRY ALL OF MY BAGS WITH ME AS I WALK?

No. All you have to carry is a daypack and your luggage will be transported to your accommodations.

WHO IS LEADING THIS WALK?

Angela Ellsworth & Melissa Morris who both have knowledge of the region, art, and contemplative practices. See Bio’s of walk leaders below.

DO I HAVE TO BE SILENT THE ENTIRE TIME?

No, there will be time designated for silent walking throughout the day and time for sketchbook drawing and writing. There will also be time for talking and sharing as well.

HOW FAR WILL I BE WALKING A DAY?

3-6 hours a day with a day-pack containing basic needs. Luggage will be transported for group.

WILL I HAVE TIME TO DRAW OR WRITE?

Yes, everyone will have a sketchbook / journal and instruction along the way.

I WANT TO GO HOW DO I APPLY?

August 1, 2018: Accepting applications for Topography of Memory and Sacred Forest Pilgrimage. See APPLICATION link below for online form and pre-deposit ($350) payment.

October 15, 2018: Applications close at midnight.

November 1st, 2018: Participants will be notified of acceptance.

NOTES:

We will not receive your application until you complete the pre-deposit on PayPal. This secures your position in the workshop and goes towards the full cost of the workshop if you are accepted. If your application is not accepted this year the pre-deposit check/amount of $350 will be fully refunded by November 15, 2018. If the workshop itself is cancelled by the facilitators for any reason your pre-deposit amount will be refunded in full immediately.

FOR FURTHER QUESTIONS AND INFORMATION

Please email: info@museumofwalking.org

ALSO: The 58th Venice Biennale is occurring in Summer 2019 with central exhibition titled May You Live in Interesting Times. You might want to plan other travel either before or after the Sacred Forest walk or Topography of Memory. We can give you more details on the Biennale/ Venice, where to stay, eat, etc in Venice once you are accepted into either workshop.

Melissa Morris is an artist and educator living in Florence, Italy. Born and raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan, she received her BA from the University of Michigan. Melissa speaks both French and Italian and lived in the EU for over 15 years guiding cultural walking and cycling tours throughout the continent. In 1999, she began studies with artists Rose Shakinovsky and Claire Gavronsky in Florence. She has participated in several international artists residencies and teaches at the Siena Art Institute and Centro Fiorenza language school in Florence. Melissa studied for an extended period of time at Plum Village, France with Buddhist monk and teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh and continues to bring together the practices of meditation, mindfulness and art. She is co-founder of Slow Mile, bringing together the teaching of art and creativity with slow travel, and has organized and led events in Tuscany, Spain, Portugal and New York City.

Angela Ellsworth is a multidisciplinary artist and Associate Professor in the School of Art at Arizona State University in the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts. She is director and co-founder of the Museum of Walking (MoW) located in one of the least walkable cities in the US. She is interested in art merging with everyday life and public and private experiences converging in unexpected spaces. Her solo and collaborative work has taken in wide-ranging subjects such as illness, physical fitness, endurance, social ritual, and religious tradition. Her work has been reviewed in ArtUS, Art News, Frieze Art, and Artforum. She has presented work nationally and internationally including The Getty Center, Museum of Contemporary Art Sydney, National Review of Live Art, Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions, Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, and Phoenix Art Museum. www.aellsworth.com